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Orbis Collectibles

German Democratic Republic 20 Mark commemoratives

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1966-1990

The German Democratic Republic 20 Mark commemoratives are a series of twenty-mark commemorative coins issued by East Germany between 1966 and 1990 honouring historical and cultural figures. These pieces formed part of a systematic commemorative coinage programme that highlighted notable individuals, milestones, and events.

Produced under the currency system of the German Democratic Republic, the programme included issues struck in both silver and base metal. Portions of the country's commemorative coinage were produced specifically for export sale. The issue of these coins ended with the monetary transition to the West German Deutsche Mark on 1 July 1990, after which East German coinage was withdrawn from use and thousands of tonnes of coins were melted down at the Rackwitz metal works.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
0

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

East German commemorative coinage formed a systematic programme that commenced during the 1960s and was partly produced for export sale. The coins were issued under the monetary authority of the German Democratic Republic, whose currency name shifted from Mark der Deutschen Notenbank to Mark der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (Mark der DDR) in 1968. Commemorative coin production spanned until 1990, concluding when East Germany adopted the West German Deutsche Mark on 1 July 1990. Following the currency replacement, East German coinage was demonetized, and approximately 4,500 tonnes of coins were melted down at the Rackwitz metal works in 1990.

Design

Reverse
Portrait or motif of the person or event commemorated

Identification

Metal
Both silver and base-metal issues exist within the programme
Recognition pointers (from background sources)
Features a reverse design bearing a portrait or motif representing the specific historical person or event commemorated. Identifiable by the 20 Mark denomination and mintage dates spanning from 1966 to 1990. Produced in either silver or base-metal varieties within the commemorative programme.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Research required
Weight
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Mint or printer
Research required
Mint or printer mark
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Catalogue reference
Research required
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.

Research required

  • Type list, metals and mintages require transcription from a verified catalogue
  • Distinction between circulation and collector strikes to be documented
  • Catalogue numbers require transcription
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